Responding to Polarisation

In contemporary society, deep divisions and polarisation are changing how we interact, fracturing relationships and straining group dynamics. For faith and community leaders, navigating these high-stakes differences requires knowledge, skill and tools.

Developed by Place for Hope with the expert input of Alison Goldsworthy, co-author of Poles Apart, and lecturer at Stanford University, this course forms part of our Pathways to Peace strategy. This brand-new training package is designed specifically to help you understand, face, and constructively bridge divides within churches and the communities they serve. Driven directly by stakeholder feedback, we will balance expert-taught content with empowering, self-led reflection to support your pastoral and community work.

Learning Goals

·Understand the drivers of polarisation and how this relates to contemporary society

·Understand how polarisation affects relationships and group dynamics

·Apply at least two practical approaches to responding constructively

·Reflect on personal assumptions, perspectives, and role within polarized contexts

·Gain confidence in responding to polarisation in a faith context